Introduction
Norton Priory is a 16 hectare site with 12th-century priory remains, museum and an 18th-century walled garden. Features include summerhouses, woodland and a rock garden. The walled garden was renovated in the 1980s. Features include a herb garden, a fruit garden, and herbaceous borders. It also has a National Plant Collection of Cydonia Oblonga (tree quince).
Norton Priory is a 16 hectare site with 12th-century priory remains, museum and 18th-century walled garden. The St Christopher statue has been described as an 'incredible piece of workmanship' and was probably commissioned in 1391 when Norton Priory was upgraded to Abbey status.
The original plans for the walled garden were lost in a fire at the Brooke's house, so the walled garden has been recreated as a typical Georgian Walled Garden. It is however quite unusual in that it is trapezoid in shape, with the north facing wall being the longest. It is always warmer in the walled garden by a few degrees, because of the protective wall and the windbreak planted outside to protect the garden.
To help save the unique heritage of garden plants in Great Britain, Norton Priory has been designated ‘National Collection holder' for Cydonia Oblonga (Tree Quince) by the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens. This means that the site has a wide collection of Tree Quince varieties and aims to help horticultural and scientific research and encourage the wider growing of these plants.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Telephone
01928 569895Website
https://www.nortonpriory.orgAccess contact details
The Walled Garden is open from 12-4pm daily from 1st April to 31 October. The museum is open 10am to 5pm daily. Please see: http://www.nortonpriory.org/visit
Directions
Close to the M56, junction 11, on the south side of the A558.
Other Websites
- Features & Designations
Designations
NCCPG National Plant Collection
Features
- Herbaceous Border
- Planting
- Description: Herb garden.
- Planting
- Description: Fruit garden.
- Priory (featured building)
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- Statue
- Description: The St Christopher statue has been described as an 'incredible piece of workmanship' and was probably commissioned in 1391 when Norton Priory was upgraded to Abbey status.
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- Ha-ha
- Icehouse
- Walk
- Description: Sculpture trail.
- Summerhouse
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- Key Information
Type
Garden
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Education
Survival
Extant
Hectares
16.1
Open to the public
Yes
Electoral Ward
Norton North